Protocol: What It Is, Where It Comes From and Why We Need Published Guidance

Protocol plays a vital role in the daily life of military members and encompasses all the customs and courtesies that are part of our military heritage. It separates us from the rest of society and creates a bond that transcends history. However, while acknowledging the importance of protocol, the Air Force finds itself without written guidance, compiled in a single document, to guide Air Force members, especially Protocol Officers. This paper addresses this concern. It traces the history of protocol in social life, official life, and military life in this area the three are intertwined because the subject is not mutually exclusive to any one. Since the creation of the Air Force there has always been some form of written protocol guidance until recently. Currently, there is no published written guidance that encompasses all the different aspects of protocol and brings them together in one volume. The value of such a guide is evident to all Air Force members that have found themselves either assigned to a protocol office or tasked as a project officer for a visiting dignitary. The Air Force needs written guidance and the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force has acknowledged this requirement. The benefits of creating a protocol guide are unlimited and will enhance everything we do as a service.